Stir of Echoes

Director - David Koepp (Secret Window, Ghost Town)

Starring - Kevin Bacon (Friday the 13th, Tremors), Zachary David Cope (The Wedding Singer), Kathryn Erbe (D2: The Mighty Ducks, How to Get Away With Murder)

Release Date - 1999

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Some doors weren't meant to be opened"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When people think of horror and the legendary actors that have spent decades appearing in genre films, they never think of Kevin Bacon.  I know I don't.  It's was not until I started writing this review for a film featuring him that I realize how much he has contributed to the genre.  We Have the original Friday the 13th, Tremors, Hollow Man, MaXXXine, Flatliners, The Demon Murder Case, and The Darkness to name a few.  There is another dozen or so thrillers and so forth that he has appeared in as well for those that want to take a deep dive into his career.  He's no stranger to horror and has appeared in several of my genre favorites included the severely underrated Stir of Echoes from 1999.  I had the film on VHS many years ago and was recently sent the UHD release for review.  This was the perfect reason to revisit one of Bacon's most underrated performances.  I want to thank Lionsgate for sending this one over to review.  

     The film follows everyman Tom (Bacon) who is hypnotized by his sister-n-law at a party.  He quickly starts to hallucinate and seeing people that is not there.  It starts to hinder his work and personal life and soon realizes he is receiving visions from a teenage girl that went missing a few days before he moved into the neighborhood.  With his life spiraling out of control around him, he begins searching the property for her missing body only to uncover the nasty truth about her and her connection to his neighbors.

     Stir of Echoes is one of those films that got swept under the rug by bigger releases of the time only to find a cult following in the years since.  I blame it on premiering the same year as M. Night Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense which consisted of artwork using similar colors and a plot involving seeing ghosts.  The movie was definitely overlooked at the time for various reasons but I think horror fans have since discovered it and have added it to their lists of favorite films.  The acting in this one is great.  Bacon never disappoints and I love seeing him in a role like this.  Most films he has been in has him being the calm and collected character but this film shows another side of him that I truly enjoyed.  While the supporting cast is great, it's Bacon that truly makes the film as enjoyable as it is.  The story for this one is a bit out there with someone having a "sixth sense" or gift awakened after being hypnotized while drunk.  However, it makes up for it with a long, drawn out character arc that really pays off at the end.  It does become predictable by the third act but the visuals and haunting atmosphere makes it worth the ride.  Finally, the film isn't a bloody or violent flick.  It does have one scene that will pull at your emotions a bit, especially if you are a parent, but those looking for a body count will be disappointed.  With that being said, I really enjoyed the make-up effects and visuals used.  It really added another level of atmosphere to the film.  Overall, Stir of Echoes may have found it's place in horror history but still has so much more room to grow.  If you have never seen this underrated classic then I highly suggest you snag this UHD release from Lionsgate.  

Unquiet Death

UNQUIET DEATH promo trailer from Mondo Macabro on Vimeo.

Director(s) - Ferid Boughedir (Sweet Smell of Spring, Villa Jasmine) and Claude d'Anna (Salome, Foursome)

Starring - Aly Ben Ayed (Tunis Top Secret, Play Dirty), Ursule Pauly (The Nude Vampire, The Rape of the Vampire), and Sophie Vaillant (Number 96, Nanou)

Release Date - 1970

Genre - Crime/Drama/Mystery

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      We just passed the halfway mark to Halloween a few days ago and I'm still trying to watch as many horror titles as possible before the month ends. However, that has been a bit of a challenge this year with the handful of dark dramas and mysteries that have been sent over for review. I don't mind these types of films but I primarily watch and review horror for the month of October. A few weeks ago Mondo Macabro sent over the Broken Mirror and Unquiet Death double feature for review. I was under the impression that these were genre titles but after I finished Broken Mirror I quickly learned that it was not. Regardless, I still enjoyed these films and I want to thank Mondo Macabro for hooking me up with these two fantastic dramas for review! 

      The film follows three sisters who visit their late uncle's estate. While there they are forced to deal with his former servant, which brings about uncomfortable interactions between him and the three. He eventually snaps and starts ordering the women around as if he is the owner of the lavish estate and they are his slaves. It doesn't take long before the three of them have enough and stand up to him. 

      Unquiet Death is another beautifully shot international drama that did not disappoint. While I thoroughly enjoyed it, it's another film like Broken Mirror that I will never revisit. It's a fantastic first time watch but once you know exactly what is going to happen it loses it's thrill. The acting in this one is great. The three female leads are fantastic together. They have amazing chemistry and go above and beyond to make the scene work. While the cast is fairly small, they are all firing on the same cylinder. Everyone carries their weight so to speak but these three lovely ladies make the film for me. The story for this one is a solid drama that bills itself as a mystery. While I don't see the mystery aspect of the film I still thoroughly enjoyed it as a drama. It was unexpected and something you never saw coming. It has smooth pacing, wonderful dialogue, and well written characters. Finally, this is another one that is not a bloody flick. This is character focused but it works. Overall, Unquiet Death is not what I was expecting but I still enjoyed it. It's a drama that does get dark at times. I highly recommend it. 

The Broken Mirror

THE BROKEN MIRROR promo trailer from Mondo Macabro on Vimeo.

Director - Claude d'Anna (Macbeth, Foursome)

Starring - Max von Sydow (Flash Gordon, Game of Thrones), Micheline Presle (Call Me Victor, The Blood of Others), and Francois Arnal (Pentimento)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Drama/Mystery

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Every year for as long as I remember I've spent the entire month of October binging as many horror titles as possible. Most of the time I'm able to at least watch one movie a day but there have been some Octobers in the past that I was able to watch almost 90 films. Sadly, this year I may not hit my normal 31 films for the month due to the fact that I've watched a few non-genre titles expecting them to be horror releases. This time around it was another Mondo Macabro release that I still really enjoyed. A few weeks back Mondo Macabro sent over the Broken Mirror and Unquiet Death double feature for review. I was unfamiliar with both of these films and couldn't wait to check them out. I started with Broken Mirror and while it wasn't horror, I still enjoyed it. I wan't to thank Mondo Macabro for sending these over! 

      The film follows Anne who restores classic paintings. When she becomes pregnant and has a visit from her mother, she starts to remember a strange painting she had in her possession some time ago but doesn't remember what happened to it. As she starts to uncover the truth about the painting and the mystery around it she finds herself being followed by a stranger. 

      Broken Mirror is one of those films that you really appreciate as your watching it but once the dust has settled and you look back to reflect on it you find yourself impressed with the film but don't see yourself revisiting it. I really enjoyed the film and will recommend it to anyone who likes international films or mysteries. It's a beautifully shot and acted film but it doesn't have the replay value I often look for in a film. The acting in this one is great. The entire cast does a phenomenal job but Maire-France Bonin is the star of the show as the pregnant artist who restores old paintings. She carries the entire film on her back. She delivers an emotionally draining performance that really hits hard with the viewer. You put that in a mystery, and you have yourself a film that really pulls the viewer in. The story for this one is not as predictable as most other mysteries. While I did enjoy the premise and the overall film I do have an issue with the film's pacing. The scenes are extremely uneven, and a lot spend too much time on cinematography and random shots of the sets over the actual story. Don't get me wrong, the film is beautifully shot but this does take away from the story. Finally, this is not a bloody film. The main focus of this one is the protagonist and the mystery surrounding the strange painting. Overall, Broken Mirror is a beautiful film that has a great cast and a solid story. It could be trimmed down sum but isn't that bad of an experience as is. I highly recommend it 

A Question of Silence

Director - Marleen Gorris (The L Word, The Last Island)

Starring - Edda Barends (The Attic: The Hiding of Anne Frank, Intensive Care), Nelly Fridja (Flodder, Flodder in America), and Henriette Tol (Flying Kicks, Intensive Care)

Release Date - 1982

Genre - Drama/Crime

Tagline - "They have never met before... but they agree to kill together"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I’ve spent the last week or two watching indie slashers and shorts for the site. These are the types of films that people have come to expect me to review and I love doing it. I love looking at all the hard work and passion come to life before my very eyes. It truly is exciting to spend this time watching something that someone has put so much time and heart into. Even if I don’t dig them all I still find it enjoyable to watch indie productions. I’ve also found myself more open to international films regardless of release year and budgets. It’s almost like an anthropological study with some of the older international films that I watch. I love seeing the style and culture of these films especially if they are from bygone years or decades. Recently, Cult Epics has been dipping their toes into international waters. They’ve sent over a handful of films recently from the 60s through the 80s from all over the world with their latest effort being the Dutch mystery drama A Question of Silence. 

      The film follows three women from various backgrounds and social standings who find themselves in a retail store at the same time. They have never met each other before and have no connection to one another. However, when one of them is accused of stealing the other two surround the shop keeper and the three brutally murder him while other women watch in excitement. A psychiatrist studies the three and determines that they are not insane but releasing pent up anger from living in a male dominated society. 

      A Question of Silence was controversial when it was released due to it’s subject matter. Men with little dick energy found themselves playing the victim in this film as women came together to make a stand against the way they were expected to be treated. A drama from 1982 was showing the world how women were treated as the "inferior" gender and some accused the film of telling women to take up arms against the males. Controversial or not, A Question of Silence is a fantastic film with a story that is considered a feminist classic from a director that has contributed greatly to the feminist movement. The acting in this one is great. I’m not familiar with the cast at all but I loved the personality and chemistry with each other. The cast does a phenomenal job in their roles and really do an amazing job bringing the characters to life. The story for this one is intriguing and works but I can see why some men in the early 80s lost their fucking minds seeing a film depicting women rising up and taking control of their lives. Even to this day women all over the world are being oppressed and forced to believe that they are inferior. I really liked the mystery angle that this drama uses but it’s a no brainer as to why the murder takes place especially once you get the peak at the lives of the three ladies before the murder was committed. It’s a brilliant film that could be redone today and still have the same impact. Finally, this film is not the bloody mess most of us horror fans are looking for. It’s story driven with just one death that we don’t get to fully enjoy. Overall, A Question of Silence is a powerful piece of feminist cinema that anyone can truly enjoy especially if you don’t have your head up your ass. It’s a well done film that does shed light on what its like for women even in today’s world. I highly recommend this release from Cult Epics.

A Woman Kills

Director - Jean-Denis Bonan (Metropolis, Le Seducteur)

Starring - Claude Merlin (A Foreign Body, Natalia), Solange Pradel (The Rape of the Vampire, World on a Wire), and Myriam Mezieres (Scarred Soul, Spanish Fly)

Release Date - 1968

Genre - Crime/Mystery

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I find myself reviewing a lot of strange and unusual films that I typically would not. This has opened me up to a world of films that are very enjoyable. Sometime back I started receiving press releases for the “lost” French thriller A Woman Kills from 1968. I’ll be completely honest and admit that this is the kind of film I would typically ignore but when I received it in the mail for review I decided to review it. I want to thank Justin Cook for sending this one over for review! 

      The film is set in Paris during the early 60s when a prostitute is executed for a series of brutal murders. The executioner begins a relationship with a female officer who was responsible for investigating the murders and soon the murders start up again prompting speculation someone involved with the prostitutes arrest and executioner may be involved. 

      While I did enjoy A Woman Kills I highly doubt that I will be revisiting this one anytime soon. I enjoyed it for a first time watch but it’s just not my cup of tea. Hell, it took me a few mins to actually warm up to it and even then I don’t feel like I fully appreciated it as it was. It was a solid and predictable film but this is not something I would personally hit play on for my own entertainment. The acting in this one was really well done. I love films with bold characters that have personalities that stick out with over the top performances. However, this film has a strong cast all the way around with no weak links. They made the film as enjoyable as it was but I feel as if the film would be damn near unwatchable if just one person didn’t pull their weight. The story for this one becomes a bit predictable once you hit the halfway mark but that doesn’t ruin the film. It’s still a very engaging film with some rich visuals and a entertaining characters. It delivers what it sets out to do but very little else which is why it’s a film I don’t see myself revisiting. Finally, don’t expect a bloodbath of a film. Hell, don’t expect memorable deaths either because you will be very disappointed. The film is more of a story driven character piece with no desire to offer up memorable deaths. Overall, A Woman Kills is a fun “lost” crime thriller that may not tickle the more hardcore genre fans but if you like unusual films then I highly suggest checking this one out.

Virt

Director - Rich Rule (Marrtown, No Knock List)

Starring - Brian Stowell (Deadly Demands, Sandman), Alex Blair (Bride Killa, Children as Giants), and Angelo Giannone (Kill, Red)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Sci-Fi/Mystery

Format - Streaming (online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago, I befriended West Virginia filmmaker Rich Rule on Facebook. I reviewed a couple of his movies that he was working on at the time but he kind of went silent sometime after. I know Facebook and their algorithm is all wonky but it had been some time since I’ve seen Rich post anything. A week or so ago he reached out for me to check out his newest film. Virt, his new sci-fi thriller, looked like a huge departure from his previous films which made me very curious. I agreed to check it out and I’m glad I did. It was a lot of fun. 

      The film follows a virtual software engineer who finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation when several young women are murdered with connections to him and the software he maintains. He decides to put his own life on the line to track down the killer that is using his software to get his victims and discovers that it’s someone that works in his office. 

      I didn’t know what to think about Virt at first. I was on the fence about the film the first 20 minutes or so before I eventually warmed up to the story and characters. It’s a very ambitious film for an indie production but the gamble pays off in this sci-fi thriller with a mystery angle. The acting in this one took some time for me but it eventually grew on me. The cast is stiff in their roles which made the scenes are the beginning of the film feel a little awkward. I don’t know if the film was shot in order or if you become accustomed to the acting as the film progresses, but it does feel like the cast comes into their own as the film moves on. The story for this one is essentially a murder mystery with a heavy virtual reality aspect throughout. It reminded me a lot of the sci-fi action flicks that were direct to video in the mid-90s. However, the action was swapped with a whodunnit storyline that actually works. The virtual reality aspect is a bit of a push for the film and comes across as a little goofy at times but it’s this aspect of the film that sets it out from other films. It could have been handled a little different in a more serious tone instead of the style that a lot of late 90s educational videos used. Finally, the film has some light blood and a lot of visual effects. The death scenes are not that impressive, but the visual effects are fun in a dated way. It looks cool at first but as the film progresses you see that it doesn’t really fit the film that well. Overall, Virt is a fun sci-fi thriller that reminded me a lot of the direct to video action flicks of the mid-90s. Instead of muscle bound martial artists fighting organized crime, we have a murder mystery. It’s not what I look for in my October horror binge but it was enjoyable. Check it out.

Hotel Fear

Director - Francesco Barilli (The Perfume of the Lady in Black, Especially on Sunday)

Starring - Luc Merenda (Hostel: Part II, Tough to Kill) Leonora Fani (Giallo in Venice, Born for Hell), and Francisco Rabal (Dagon, Nightmare City)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Horror/Mystery

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been more open to international films in recent years but I'm still learning a lot and thanks to companies like Mondo Macabro I'm able to check out some seriously underrated and obscure films that I would have normally skipped over.  However, as fun as it is to check out an international film I had never heard of before I sometimes don't enjoy the film.  I can't like them all and I simply refuse to lie.  I'm always honest but respectful.  When Mondo's release of the 1978 murder mystery Hotel Fear arrived for review I figured I wouldn't care for it.  It just didn't look like something I would find interesting.  However, after I watched Strangler vs. Strangler I decided to go ahead and dig into it.  Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro and CAV for sending this one over.

     The film follows a young woman who finds herself in charge of a hotel during the tail end of World War II when her mother mysteriously dies.  Problems with her sexually aggressive tenants are the least of her problems when someone starts killing the guests when they cross the line.

     I was fully expecting to hate Hotel Fear.  It just didn't look like a film I would enjoy but I quickly found myself liking it.  It was entertaining and it's a movie I could see most genre fans, especially those that enjoy giallo and period pieces, getting behind.  I'm glad I took the chance and I'm even more grateful that Mondo Macabro was able to bring this one to us.  The acting in this one is very enjoyable.  I really liked the characters that the movie brings us and the cast is brilliant.  I really enjoyed how well the cast worked with one another and how far they went with their characters.  There were a few awkward scenes but I blame that on the language barrier instead of the actual acting.  The story for this one is a solid murder mystery but I did find it to be a bit of a dull ride at times.  I loved the story setting, the location, and the backstory.  However, the film spends too much time focusing on the tenants of the building and their overactive sex drives.  It would have been just as effective if half the time was spent on it.  Also, the dialogue is a bit dull at times.  The entertaining characters make up for it mostly but most of the dialogue is dull.  It doesn't take away from the entire film but you will catch yourself wanting to check social media as the film rolls on.  Finally, this is not a bloody flick.  The kills fit the themes of the film but it doesn't really offer up anything red or fun for horror fans.  Overall, Hotel Fear is a fun World War II entered horror film that focuses more on the murder mystery aspect than it does the war.  It's fun and the cast makes it enjoyable but if you are looking for a gruesome horror flick then this is not for you.  Honestly, I recommend this one and highly recommend snagging this Mondo Macabro release.    

The Show

Director - Mitch Jenkins (Act of Faith, Show Pieces)

Starring - Tom Burke (The Crown, Extinction), Ellie Bamber (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, The Serpent), and Siobhan Hewlett (Dread, Torchwood)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Drama/Fantasy/Mystery

Tagline - "Enter a town where fantasy is reality"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm starting a new chapter in my life and that new chapter has granted me a vacation that I was not expecting.  With all these new changes and some free time on my hands I decided to finally check out the Watchmen miniseries.  I'm a huge fan of Zack Snyder's Watchmen adaptation but never found the time to check out the miniseries.  However, once I did I decided to keep the Alan Moore marathon rolling where I finally was able to check out The Show.  Shout Factory sent this one over a few months back but I was unable to check it out until now.  It seemed like the perfect movie to follow up Watchmen with.  Like always, I want to thank Shout Factory for hooking me up.

     The film follows the mysterious Fletcher (Burke) who arrives in the sleepy town of Northampton in search of an old necklace that was said to be stolen from his client.  However, his investigation leads him through a dark underworld and he discovers the real truth about the necklace and the inhabitants of the town.

     I had very little knowledge about this film prior to my initial viewing.  Hell, the only thing I really knew about it was that it was written by Alan Moore and that was about it.  It doesn't hit as hard as some of Moore's other work but it still has it's place in cinema even if I found it to be a little weak at times.  The acting in this one is nothing that stands out.  The characters are what you would expect from a film written by Alan Moore but the cast doesn't do that great of a job bringing them to life.  The cast is great but they lacked the energy you would expect from a film with characters so colorfully written and detailed.  The story for this one has a lot going on.  Moore has a knack for writing stories with beautifully written characters, amazing scenarios, and an almost trademark noir flair.  The Show has a lot going on but most of it is for show.  Most of the discoveries and wild additions to the story could be removed and the story would still be the same.  It's fun at times but all it does it extend the film's run time.  If anything, it leaves the viewer wishing the film would have explored these further.  It seriously needs to be edited and trimmed down further to make it flow better and adjust the pacing.  Finally, don't expect a blood bath.  We do have a little make-up effects and some light blood but that's the extent of it.  The film is a fantasy film at heart and the effects follows that genre.  Overall, The Show is a sold fantasy mystery that tries to capture that noir look and feel with a supernatural twist.  It works but it does have some noticeable flaws.  Check it out but don't expect a film that will stick with you. 

Mysteries

Director - Paul de Lussanet (Dear Boys, Alle Dagen Feest)

Starring - Rutger Hauer (Hobo with a Shotgun, Blind Fury), Sylvia Kristel (Emmanuelle, Dracula's Widow), and David Rappaport (Amazing Stories, The Bride)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Drama/Mystery

Tagline - "The romance.  The ecstasy.  The passion"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I originally saw the announcement for Cult Epics release of Sylvia Kristel 1970's Collection I was seriously interested in 1978's Mysteries starring Kristel and Rutger Hauer.  I've reviewed several films starring Hauer over the years but this was one I was very interested in.  The film was based on Knut Hamsun's novel and was surprisingly well received when it was originally released.  I don't think I had seen a Hauer film from the 70s so as soon as I finished Julia I was ready to toss in this drama.  Like always, I would like thank Cult Epics for sending this one over.

     The film follows a wealthy visitor to a small coastal town where he makes a name for himself by being mysterious.  He befriends a little man nicknamed Midget and before long becomes involved with two women but who is the man and why does he act so strangely?

     Mysteries is not the type of movie many of us would expect me to review for Horror Society.  However, it's exactly the type of film that I wanted to review when I started this journey a decade ago.  I wanted to review movies that were lost to time and Mysteries is just one of those films.  I appreciate that Cult Epics took the chance with this one and included it in their set because it was a lot of fun.  The acting in this one is fantastic.  Sadly, Kristel was not the star of the show with Hauer and Rappaport taking front and center.  She is in the film quit a bit but this is a vehicle for Hauer and he makes good use of his screen time.  It was strange seeing how young he was here and he still does a fantastic job.  The supporting cast is great as well but it's Hauer that pulls the viewer in.  The story for this one is well paced and put together but it does take a minute to get the ball rolling.  Once it picks up you find yourself pulled in and wondering what will happen next.  It's not predictable but once you've seen it you know exactly what to look for during your second viewing which does take away from it's replay value.  Honestly, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and how it progressed.  It wasn't over complicated or too long.  It fit the run time perfectly.  Finally, don't expect a body count with this one.  It's a drama that looks like it was made for television with no blood or carnage. Overall, Mysteries will draw hate from many of you that read my reviews but for those of you looking for a drama will enjoy this one very much so.  It's a great film.  

     

Too Beautiful to Die

Director - Dario Piana (The Deaths of Ian Stone, Lost Boys: The Thirst)

Starring - Francois-Eric Gendron (Death Run, Murder, She Wrote), Florence Guerin (The Black Cat, Love Sins), and Randi Ingerman (Silk Stalkings, The Watcher)

Release Date - 1988

Genre - Thriller/Mystery

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I originally ordered the Nothing Underneath and Too Beautiful to Die double feature I was under the impression that both films were paired together because they were Body Double clones.  As I stated in my previous films, I had never seen Body Double nor do I know what it's about but I was looking forward to both of these films.  It wasn't until I was putting my reviews together for them that I realized that they are sequels in a loose sense.  Nothing Underneath was originally released in Italy under Sotto Il Vestito Niente and Too Beautiful to Die was released as Sotto Il Vestito Niente II.  Both films follow similar stories but are not really connected together by characters or anything like that.  Regardless, I enjoyed both of them but Nothing Underneath is the better film.

     The film begins at a party threw by the owner of a talent agency for all his models.  However, in the early hours of the morning one of them is found dead.  The talent agent and his models all have alibies but as the police investigate the matter other models start turning up dead all with connections to the party that night and what really happened.  

     I can see how Too Beautiful to Die would be considered a loose sequel to Nothing Underneath but both films can be enjoyed out of order.  Their connection only being beautiful women finding the business end of a knife.  With that being said, it's still a  wildly entertaining film that really does remind me of the films I would sneak and watch late at night on Cinemax.  The acting in this one is not the best I've seen but it's not bad.  The characters, much like Nothing Underneath, are generic and one dimensional but the cast does the best with what they were given.  I wish some of the more prominent characters would have been given memorable personalities or stuck out from the crowd but it's not too bad as it is.  The story for this one is pretty much the same as the first film except some minor differences.  The first involved models who are stalked and murdered...while Too Beautiful to Die is another film where beautiful models are stalked and murdered.  The first film does have a bit of a more sinister feel especially when the killer is revealed and what happened to the protagonist's sister.  However, this film is a little more polished, artsy, and predictable.  It's not a bad film but I enjoyed Nothing Underneath more.  Finally, the film has blood and beautiful women but don't expect memorable or gory deaths.  They work for the film but don't expect something to stick with you.  Overall, Too Beautiful to Die is a solid follow up to Nothing Underneath  but it's not on the same level.  It's worth a watch but don't expect a movie that will be revisited over and over.  

Nothing Underneath

Director - Carlo Vanzina (The Gamble, Millions)

Starring - Tom Schanley (Dexter, Charmed), Renee Simonsen (Via Montenapoleone), and Donald Pleasence (Halloween, Prince of Darkness)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Thriller/Mystery

Tagline - "Chasing fame is murder"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Vinegar Syndrome continues to impress me with their releases.  Their partner labels are mostly entertaining but every month I look forward to the actual Vin Syn releases.  They rarely release a movie I had previously seen and most of the ones they bring to my attention are usually a ton of fun.  You never know what they are going to release to fans and each month is greeted with excitement from collectors.  A few months ago Vin Syn announced the Nothing Underneath and Too Beautiful to Die double feature on blu and I was very curious about it.  I had never heard of these two films and was curious about them.  I heard other movie fans call them Body Double clones but that doesn't really bother me because I had never seen Body Double.  I snagged a copy but never had the time to check it out until recently.  After watching a few of their partner label releases I decided to turn that into a Vin Syn marathon starting with this double feature.  

     The film follows a forest ranger from the US who travels to Italy in search for his twin sister after he has a feeling that something bad had happened to her.  She traveled to Italy in hopes of hitting it big as a model and once he arrives he discovers that she has vanished.  He befriends another female model as he searches for his sister and uncovers a string of model's deaths at the hands of a scissor wielding maniac that is closing to him than he would like.

     As I stated earlier, I had never seen Body Double before so I had no preconceived notions of what this was prior to checking it out.  With that being said, I really enjoyed this one.  It was a little cliched with one dimensional characters but it was still fun.  The acting in this one is not bad but the characters are flat and often blend into the scene.  I did like Tom Schanley and Donald Pleasence but the story is the main focus here and not the cast which is a bit of a shame because both did fantastic jobs.  The story for this one is a murder mystery with a bit of a twist with the twin connection.  Using the connection that is said to be between twins as the basis for this murder mystery set against the back drop of professional modeling actually works for the most part.  It does drag it's feet from time to time but the killer reveal is worth it.  I don't see myself revisiting this one again but I did like it.  Finally, the film has some bloody moments and one scene with some awesome make-up effects but that's the extent of it.  The movie focuses more on the story than the body count which is a bit of a shame because it could have delivered on both and kept it's integrity.  Overall, Nothing Underneath is a solid watch especially if you grew up watching the late night thrillers that usually played on HBO and Cinemax during the late and early 90s before the softcore stuff came on.  It's worth a watch so check it out.   

Last Night in Soho

Director - Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Scott Pilgrim vs the World)

Starring - Thomasin McKenzie (Old, Jojo Rabbit), Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch, The New Mutants), and Matt Smith (Doctor Who, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror/Mystery

Tagline - "A murder in the past.  A mystery in the future"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in high school I picked up the rom com zom flick Shaun of the Dead.  That was my introduction to director Edgar Wright and actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.  I've been a fan of the three ever since.  Wright has directed some seriously entertaining action, sci-fi, and comedies but when I hear that he is attached to a horror film I often find myself becoming way too excited for the project.  When I heard about Last Night in Soho I knew this was going to be a film that I would obsess over like his other films but I was unable to see it during it's theatrical run.  However, once I received the press release for the physical release I was quick to request a review copy.  I received it a few weeks back but the carrier absolutely destroyed it.  Sadly, the disc was not playable so I had to pick up a copy the next time I was out shopping.  Due to my work schedule I was unable to do so until recently but I'm fucking glad I did because I loved this film. 

     The story for this one follows an aspiring fashion designer who moves to Soho in hopes of attending school and start a career.  However, after a horrible first night with her roommates she moves out and into one of the older buildings in town in hopes of bettering herself but her new room sends her back in time to the 60s while she sleeps.  During her night time adventures she follows an aspiring lounge singer who gets mixed up with a shady manager who pimps her out under the guise that it's bettering her career.  As her night visions continue she uncovers that the women she was following was murdered by her "pimp" but as she tries to investigate and bring justice for this decades long open murder case she discovers that her small glimpse at the murder was just that and something else entirely had happened.  

     Last Night in Soho was a slow build up which made me nervous at first but as the film progressed I found myself falling in love with it.  I knew nothing about the film prior to watching aside from the fact that it was directed by Wright and was a horror mystery.  The movie was a lot more than that and the twist was unexpected and so fucking enjoyable.  I loved this movie and it's easily one of Wright's better films.  The acting in this is absolutely amazing.  The characters are so much fun and the cast goes all in.  Matt Smith is fucking fantastic as the sleazy manager who introduces the young singer to prostitution and the underbelly of the nightclub circuit of the 60s.  McKenzie and Taylor-Joy are great together and they carry the film on their backs.  The supporting cast is fantastic as well with so many amazing characters and cast members for the viewer to enjoy.  The story for this one is not your traditional murder mystery.  Wright gives viewers a period piece that meets a classic and stylish mystery with one hell of a twist that you don't see coming.  The red herrings are not awkward like most modern horror films that try to throw the viewer off it's trail.  I really enjoyed it and I feel as if Wright has set himself up for a fantastic prequel film or even a series based on that twist.  The film has damn near perfect pacing, wonderful dialogue, and it's a story that even though you've already seen it and know the twist it is still just as enjoyable on the second, fifth and even the tenth viewing.  Finally, the film is fairly dry at first but once we reach the first death we move into some bloody and highly entertaining moments.  Those of you looking for some of the red stuff will be in heaven during the last leg of the film.  There is fantastic practical and visual effects that work great together to make the death scenes work.  Overall, Last Night in Soho is a fucking must watch and easily one of the best films of 2021.  It's not predictable, an amazing premise, and a fantastic cast.  Please do yourself a favor and watch this film.  I highly recommend it. 

The Amazing Mr. X

Director - Bernard Vorhaus (Bury Me Dead, Winter Wonderland)

Starring - Turhan Bey (The Mummy's Tomb, Babylon 5), Lynn Bari (Earthbound, China Girl), and Cathy O'Donnell (Perry Mason, Ben-Hur)

Release Date - 1948

Genre - Horror/Mystery

Tagline - "In his eyes...the threat of terror!  In his hands... the power to destroy!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the course of the last week or so I've been fortunate to review some older horror releases.  Typically, I review a lot of newer indie releases plus the rerelease of 70s and 80s genre titles from companies like Vinegar Syndrome, Arrow Video, Severin Films, and so on.  It's not often that I get films much older than that but I've recently received some films from the 40s through the 60s thanks to Warner Bros. and The Film Detective.  I've enjoyed my time in these forgotten decades and the films have been very entertaining even if I didn't care for the movie itself.  I see each movie as an experience and seeing some of these older releases really is like opening a time capsule.  Sometime back The Film Detective released the 1948 mystery horror film The Amazing Mr. X on blu.  I had never seen this one before so I reached out to MVD for a review copy.  Like always, I want to thank MVD and The Film Detective for sending this release over!

     The film follows a window and her sister who is coping with the death of her husband.  She is reluctant to date again and one night she thinks she hears her late husband's voice on the ocean breeze.  When she goes out to investigate she meets a spiritualist who seems to know about her late husband.  He cons her into a séance and other rackets to gain money from her.  However, his gimmick is uncovered when the husband appears revealing he had faked his death.  He blackmails the spiritualist to continue his con but soon his widow and her sister uncover both plots before getting the police involved.  

      The Amazing Mr. X had the look and feel I was really looking for.  It's not often I get a classic horror film in with amazing atmosphere, tension, and that amazing score that has lost since been forgotten.  However, the movie tries to overcomplicate things which doesn't work well in my opinion.  It was a bit chaotic, messy, and underwhelming at times but it did have a few eerie moments that I enjoyed.  The acting in this one is very enjoyable.  The characters are very cliched but the cast does a fantastic job with what they were given.  With that being said, there was several occasions where I was getting the characters mixed up with one another.  It's not often that something like this happens but I do see it from time to time with old black and white films with generic characters.  The story for this one has some great ideas that has the potential to be a chilling film that fit with the time.  The 30s and 40s saw the rise in spiritualism during the wealthy and elite with a hotbed in L.A.  It makes sense that a few genre films popped up with this being the basis for them.  However, the chaotic spree of the story and the lack of memorable characters makes it difficult to follow.  Finally, the film is moody and atmospheric but don't expect to find any blood and gore.  The film is reliant on the story itself to get to the viewer instead of the deaths.  Overall, The Amazing Mr. X is a dropped ball especially for it's time.  The story could have been more welcoming of spiritualism and less like a petty crime film.  I wanted to love it but I couldn't bring myself to it.  The blu looks good and collectors will want to check it out but this is one film I cannot recommend.  

The Ghost Ship

Director - Mark Robson (Isle of the Dead, Bedlam)

Starring - Richard Dix (Devil's Playground, The Thirteenth Hour), Russell Wade (The Body Snatcher, A Game of Death), and Edith Barrett (I Walked with a Zombie, Alfred Hitchcock Presents)

Release Date - 1943

Genre - Mystery/Thriller

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The next few days is going to have me taking a trip to decades long since passed thanks to Warner Bros. and their archive collection releases.  A few weeks back they sent over several releases.  The first I was able to dig into was Night Shift which was a fantastic early 80s comedy that I truly enjoyed.  However, the other releases takes me back even further.  The second release was the early 60s with Children of the Damned before venturing into the 40s with a Mark Robson double feature.  The first film in the set was 1943's The Ghost Ship.  This was a first time watch and I couldn't wait to dig into it.  Like always, I want to thank Warner Bros. for sending this one over.  

     The film follows Tom (Wade) who signs on to be third officer of a ship.  At first he finds himself at home among the crew but things take a dark turn when several of the crew members turn up dead with mysterious causes.  As the bodies pile up, Tom suspects that it is active captain on the boat.  This allegations causes tension between the two and with more and more people dying it causes a ripple between the crew and Tom while the real killer is getting away with murder.  

     They don't make movies like they used to.  A lot of the modern horror and thrillers are often labeled as mysteries but they rarely deliver the mystery aspect anymore.  They are predictable and lack any sort of mystery and atmosphere that these classis films do.  They are more focused on jump scares instead of the mystery aspect.  The Ghost Ship was able to deliver just that but the repetitive storyline made it a bit redundant and dull.  It was solid for the most part but painfully mediocre.  The acting in this one is great.  The characters are not that memorable but this is one of the few instances where I've seen a film that was so consistent throughout.  The cast is fantastic and everyone does an amazing job but the characters are all the same.  It's a sea of faces with no personalities to make them stand out.  The story for this one has so much potential but is stretched way too thin.  It's barely over an hour but in that run time we get a set up that repeats itself without delivering anything worthy to the film.  Once we find the first death we are stuck in a cycle of deaths, that are fairly lackluster, and they do very little to further the story.  Sure, it adds a body count but they are not fun or graphic deaths that makes the film worthwhile.  The only aspect of the film that I appreciate is how it kept the mystery aspect going without ruining the reveal.  The tension and suspense worked very well with the story to make it work but so much needed trimmed from the film.  Finally, the film does have a bit of a body count but don't expect deaths that will stand out to you.  They are mostly done off camera with no real imagination tossed into them.  Overall, The Ghost Ship is a a fantastic looking mystery thriller but the story is like watching paint dry.  It has some moments and is solid for a first time watch but there is a reason this one is rarely discussed in horror circles.  

The Fourth Victim

Director - Eugenio Martin (Horror Express, The Ugly Ones)

Starring - Carroll Baker (Murder, She Wrote, Tales from the Crypt), Michael Craig (Tales of the Unexpected, Doctor Who), and Miranda Campa (Winged Devils, Grog)

Release Date - 1971

Genre - Horror/Mystery

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Severin has been surprisingly a lot lately with their releases.  The one title that I was the most excited for this year was Midnight and that release did not disappoint but Severin has released a few other movies that I did not expect to like as much as I did.  A Day of Judgement was a real treat and a film that I have talked about in great lengths in a few horror groups after my initial viewings.  I fucking loved it and I'm so glad Severin took the risk of releasing it.  It's not a title that most horror fans would rush to but I feel that it is one of their most underrated releases.  The same can be said about their release of the 1971 mystery The Fourth Victim starring Carroll Baker and directed by Carroll Baker.  I was under the impression that this was going to be a fun giallo but that was not the case.  It really did catch me off guard and I fucking loved it.  I want to thank MVD and Severin for sending this one my way.

     The film follows a wealthy business man who has been married three times and all three marriages ended in his wife's death.  The police suspect he is behind their deaths but can't pin it on him.  He meets a strange blonde and the two reluctantly become a couple and marry a month after the death of third wife.  However, his new bride is rather strange and he soon learns that she was institutionalized before.  the deeper he digs into her past the stranger it becomes including the fact that she may not be the woman she claims to be.

     I went into The Fourth Victim expecting a giallo but what I was greeted with was an usual mystery that pulled me in and didn't let go.  The movie doesn't really feel like a horror or thriller but it is a fantastic mystery and drama.  I know most of the horror hipsters will not care for this one but if you like the a captivating story that is not predictable then this one is for you.  The acting in this one is great.  Baker is wonderful in her role and the character has so many layers.  She does a fantastic job at bringing the amazingly written character to life.  Craig was brilliant as well as the womanizing wealthy man who suddenly finds himself in the middle of a hunt for who it was he actually married.  He was great in the role and his performance is one of the highlights.  The supporting cast is just as well done but these two characters are the best written.  The story for this one is not like your typical murder mystery.  In fact, the murder aspect kind of takes the back seat while the character driven aspect takes over.  It works if you allow it but if you are expecting a horror thriller then you will be disappointed.  The film is well written and the story unfolds damn near perfectly.  Finally, the film is not a bloody one.  This mystery is more focused on story and character development than it is blood and gore.  Overall, The Fourth Victim is a great film that may go under looked by most genre fans.  However, if you are open to a more unique experience then you will really enjoy it.  The release from Severin is a must own in my opinion.  I highly recommend it.  

Tough Guys Don't Dance

Director - Norman Mailer (Wild 90, Beyond the Law)

Starring - Ryan O'Neal (Slumber Party Slaughter, Bones), Isabella Rossellini (Death Becomes Her, Tales from the Crypt), and Debra Stipe (In the Heat of the Night, Murder, She Wrote)

Release Date - 1987

Genre - Mystery/Drama

Tagline - "A love story haunted by murder"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When most of us think about Vinegar Syndrome we think about often overlooked horror titles and exploitation flicks.  That's one of the reasons I fell in love with them many years ago when I first started reviewing movies for Horror Society.  Their releases are some of my most valued in my collection and I always look forward to the next horror and exploitation release to come my way.  However, I never expected to see a murder mystery with instances of comedy and drama to come to blu from Vin Syn yet here I am watching and reviewing Tough Guys Don't Dance from director and author Norman Mailer.  I was on the fence about this one when they announced the release but I love Vin Syn so I was open minded about it.

     The film follows author and small-time drug dealer Tim (O'Neal) who finds himself recollecting the previous days to his estranged father where he reveals a web of adultery, drug use, betrayal, and murder.

     Tough Guys Don't Dance is not the movie I expected to be reviewing for Horror Society but I also wasn't expecting to like a murder mystery with humor, drug use, and fake southern accents.  I surprisingly enjoyed it but I don't want to watch it again nor will I ever have the desire to hit play while it's in the disc drive.  This is one of the films where once is enough.  The acting in this one is hit or miss with me.  I liked Ryan O'Neal and Lawrence Tierney in their roles but I found myself laughing at most of the rest of the cast.  I don't know what Wings Hauser was on while filming but he had me laughing my ass off through most of the film.  His intensity in his scenes with that mischievous smile was almost out of place but it was fun.  Also, Debra Stipe held each and every scene she was in.  I absolutely loved her weird ass southern accent and how free loving and wild she was.  Her character was so easy to fall in love with.  However, I was not a fan of Isabella Rossellini.  He performance was very lackluster when compared to the rest of the cast.  The story for this one is a murder noir with some intentional and not so intentional humor with a killer twist that I was not expecting.  I'm fairly quick to determine who the murderer is but this one really did leave me guessing until the reveal.  Some of the scenes are little drawn out and dialogue heavy but I actually enjoyed those scenes.  Finally, the film has some blood but the deaths are done off screen.  We don't get any gore and one scene does feature a ridiculous looking dead dog that did make me chuckle.  Overall, Tough Guys Don't Dance was a fun and exciting film with ridiculous characters and some laughs.  It doesn't have much of a replay factor but I still liked it for a first time watch.  I highly recommend it.  

The Case of the Scorpion's Tail

Director - Sergio Martino (American Rickshaw, Hands of Steel)

Starring - George Hilton (Massacre Time, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh), Anita Strindberg (Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key, The Two Face of Fear), and Alberto de Mendoza (Special Killers, Horror Express)

Release Date - 1971

Genre - Horror/Mystery

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the years I've been fortunate enough to review several films from acclaimed Italian filmmaker Sergio Martino.  Some of these releases were sent to me from my friends over at Severin while others were from other companies like Shameless Entertainment.  For the most part I've enjoyed these films especially his giallo flicks.  A few weeks ago MVD and Arrow Video sent me the Sergio Martino collection to review.  I knew October was swiftly approaching so I decided to put the set off so I could enjoy it during my annual horror binge.  The first film that I checked out in the set was the 1971 giallo The Case of the Scorpion's Tail.  This is one I had never seen before but had knew about after scoring a DVD at a pawn shop some years back.  Once again I want to thank MVD and Arrow Video for hooking me up with a copy.  

     The film follows a woman who inherits one million dollars after her husband is killed in an airplane accident.  The insurance company suspect that there was a bomb on the plane so they send in an investigator to investigate the beneficiary and the accident.  Soon he uncovers a web of murder, adultery, and fraud.

     When I was younger I never cared for giali and would often skip them when my friends would watch them.  The exception to the rule was usually the few Lucio Fulci directed and all of Dario Argento's.  However, as I got older I found myself drawn to them and enjoying the mystery aspect that delivered.  The Cast of the Scorpion's Tail was not predictable at all and I actually enjoyed it as a murder mystery.  The acting in this one is solid enough but some of the cast was a little too stiff.  The characters are very generic but they are written to fit the story perfectly.  However, some of the scenes did feel like a soap opera.  Some of the cast were flat and others were a little overdramatic.  There is some inconsistencies in the acting but it's not bad.  The story for this one is a fantastic giallo that really does follow the classic murder mystery tropes that made giallos so popular among movie goers.  A good portion of the giallos that I've seen before are predictable but this one really does leave the viewer guessing.  The characters are not that deep but they do fit with the story very well.  With that being said, some of the scenes are dry and very dull.  Editing this one a little closer to the story would have made it flow a little better and make it a little easier to follow.  Finally, the film doesn't shy away from the blood.  We get some fun bloody moments with some decent make-up effects.  The deaths are not as gruesome as some of the sub-genre's counterparts but they work for this film.  Overall, The Case of the Scorpion's Tale is a fantastic giallo that has a great story that really does work on the murder mystery level.  It's gritty at times but the cast and pacing is a little off at times resulting in difficult scenes for the viewer to focus.  The blu release from Arrow looks fantastic as well.  I highly recommend this if you are fans of Martino or giallo in general.